Coco Gauff has entered the French Open in fine form, having just reached the final of the Italian Open.
Gauff did lose that match in Rome to Jasmine Paolini, but the American has managed to climb to second place in the WTA rankings.
Paolini was full of praise for Gauff after their Italian Open final, with both players quickly turning their focus to the French Open.
Gauff is the second seed in Paris, and was drawn to face Olivia Gadecki in the first round of the Grand Slam.
A runner-up spot in 2022 represents her best finish at the tournament, when Gauff fell at the final hurdle to Iga Swiatek.
Venus Williams suggests Coco Gauff mistake ahead of French Open
Tim Henman had a mental worry for Gauff ahead of the French Open, with Venus Williams now sharing a similar verdict on her fellow American.
Williams commented on TNT Sports: “I am a big fan of the Americans, always rooting for them. Coco I am a huge fan.
READ MORE: Women’s French Open 2025 preview: how to watch, top players and prize money
“I love her passion. I think sometimes she is too hard on herself. I think she has just got to let go and allow herself to do what she can do.
“She has such big expectations of herself so I would love to see her win here. She has come close. I came close too. Coming close is not the goal, I know she wants to win.”
Venus Williams says if she gives advice to Coco Gauff and Madison Keys
Gauff has already achieved huge success despite her relatively brief career so far, having won the 2023 US Open.
That is where her Grand Slam success ends, but future glory is undoubtedly on the cards for the 21-year-old.
Williams meanwhile was a serial winner during her prime, clinching seven singles and 16 doubles titles at Grand Slam level.
She also discussed another Grand Slam champion in Madison Keys, who won the Australian Open earlier this year.
| Rank | Player | Age | Points |
| 2 | Coco Gauff | 21 | 6863 |
| 3 | Jessica Pegula | 31 | 6243 |
| 8 | Madison Keys | 30 | 4184 |
| 9 | Emma Navarro | 24 | 3879 |
| 16 | Amanda Anisimova | 23 | 2634 |
| 30 | Sofia Kenin | 26 | 1618 |
| 33 | Peyton Stearns | 23 | 1536 |
| 35 | Ashlyn Krueger | 21 | 1489 |
| 44 | Mccartney Kessler | 25 | 1249 |
| 52 | Alycia Parks | 24 | 1102 |
Keys defeated Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne for her maiden title, eight years after she lost the US Open final to fellow American Sloane Stephens.
Asked if she gives advice to her compatriots Keys and Gauff, Williams said: “I was always playing against them so I never had a chance to really give them advice.
“They were playing so well. I lost to both of them so it’s not easy to be in that position where you’re mentoring and playing against someone, but these girls know what they are doing.
“Madison hits the ball a ton. How exciting was it when she won the Australian Open this year? I was like, my heart! I was so happy for her and she could do it again.”
